Jesus said to his disciples, Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of giving Charlene the tour of our "campus" in Rio Grande. One of the beauties of our ministry in our Thrift Shop and The Branches is the selfless giving that each and every one of our staff and volunteers demonstrate every day. Our ministries are an extension of the generosity of others and the grace and goodness of our God. Simple donations fuel our mission in our communities and in our world.

Many of you know the good work of the Branches and the "Big" things that are unfolding. We are beginning to move into our brand new community center. Our mobile food ministry, along with our food pantry, is thriving. Guests are keeping cool by arriving for breakfast and lunch. Clothing, basic needs, and social advocacy and education are taking place. People in need are being cared for with prayerful hearts, respect, and dignity. Every day is a new adventure, and when our guests are met with challenging circumstances, Terri, Sandra, our advocates, and volunteers all step up and go above and beyond to see that the need is met. These are the treasures geared toward God and stored in heaven. More is on the horizon, and I hope to share those details with you soon.

Many of you may not know the depth and extension of the ministry of our thrift shop. Often we take for granted that people donate things, and we sell clothes and items, even giving items to those in need, but This n' That is so much more. Yes, our thrift store helps fuel our mission, ministry, and outreach, but in addition to providing us with resources, Debbie and Debra, together with our staff and volunteers, have created a family that is integrated and fully engaged in our community and outreach. That family extends itself beyond the store.

A little over a week ago, there was a fire in the adjacent laundromat. It was Debra's mom who, in the wee hours of the night, called the fire department. That's community.

Debbie, our manager, and her husband, Steve, worked endless hours to address the smoke damage to ensure our staff, volunteers, and customers would be free from any potential harm. That's Community.

Debbie knows each of our staff, volunteers, and even our customers very well. Their personal stories are deep. They help one another, assist one another, and hold each other up. Debbie not only tends to their care as our manager but as a confidant, friend, advisor, and, dare I say, even as a mother. She embodies leadership, and it shows in our staff and volunteers. It is always a blessing to meet a pastoral need and have Debbie as a sister in Christ. But it doesn't end there. This same care is given to those who come on by the store. That's community. That's ministry. We are fulfilling our mission. Person by person, we are touching and transforming lives. That's a treasure for God and is stored in heaven. What a blessing!

Yesterday, Charlene witnessed the growing love and relationships we have worked to nurture. We were greeted with love, hugs, and even prayers. It is beautiful to see God's love and grace at work in our Rio Grande community. I urge you to visit and see the workings of God in the Branches and in This n' That. Introduce yourself, say hello and know that God's blessing is upon each and every one of us.

Thank you for supporting these and all of our ministries here at St. Mary's!

Blessings in Christ,

Mo. Allison+

August 14th - ADULT FORUM BOOK STUDY begins -Lost Christianities

by Bart D. Ehrman, Matthew Kugler, et al.

The early Christian Church was a chaos of contending beliefs. Some groups of Christians claimed that there was not one God but two or twelve or thirty. Some believed that the world had not been created by God but by a lesser, ignorant deity. Certain sects maintained that Jesus was human but not divine, while others said he was divine but not human. In Lost Christianities, Bart D. Ehrman offers a fascinating look at these early forms of Christianity and shows how they came to be suppressed, reformed, or forgotten. All of these groups insisted that they upheld the teachings of Jesus and his apostles, and they all possessed writings that bore out their claims, books reputedly produced by Jesus's own followers. Modern archaeological work has recovered a number of key texts, and as Ehrman shows, these spectacular discoveries reveal religious diversity that says much about the ways in which history gets written by the winners.

Ehrman's discussion ranges from considerations of various "lost scriptures" - including forged gospels supposedly written by Simon Peter, Jesus's closest disciple, and Judas Thomas, Jesus's alleged twin brother - to the disparate beliefs of such groups as the Jewish-Christian Ebionites, the anti-Jewish Marcionites, and various "Gnostic" sects. Ehrman examines in depth the battles that raged between "proto-orthodox Christians" - those who eventually compiled the canonical books of the New Testament and standardized Christian belief - and the groups they denounced as heretics and ultimately overcame. Scrupulously researched and lucidly written, Lost Christianities is an eye-opening account of politics, power, and the clash of ideas among Christians in the decades before one group came to see its views prevail.

Lou and Cynthia Schweickhardt were married 61 years in July. They met after high school graduation on a blind date arranged by mutual friends . . . Lou’s best friend was dating Cynthia’s best friend and they organized a group night out at the Officers’ Club in Arlington, VA.

A year later, after their Freshman year in college, they married and became Episcopalians.  They raised three sons in their Medford, NJ home where they lived for 35 years and now have 5 grandchildren. They’ve owned their home in Stone Harbor for the past 36 years, but didn’t move here full time until 2005 when they both retired. That’s when they became members of St. Mary’s. They share their home with their cat Pepper, a very popular pet name as Mother Allison and Lisa’s dog, along with the Olthuis’ dog, are named Pepper.

Both Lou and Cynthia have ties to the US Navy. Lou’s career was as an electrical engineer for the US Navy Department and Cynthia’s father is a retired Navy Captain.

Cynthia earned a master’s degree in Health Professions and worked 45 years teaching doctors the importance of good nutrition in maintaining good health. Cynthia says “good health and exercise are so important as you age”. The Schweickhardts live that philosophy eating balanced meals thanks to Cynthia, and working out at Miracles Fitness on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Lou loves baseball and played in high school. He continued to play ball over the years for St. Pete’s in Medford and up until a few years ago, played softball in a senior league. He plays Bocci Ball on Friday mornings in the summer.

What do they love about St. Mary’s? Just about everything but especially our church family and all the activities like Thursdays on the Lawn.

Cynthia is a long-time member of our choir. Together Lou and Cynthia have hosted coffee hours and organized our annual Strawberry Festival with great success.  Lou is a regular usher and responsible for scheduling. He currently serves as Jr. Warden after serving several terms as a member of the vestry, and he’s been on more than one search committee. He traveled with Fr. John, Cynthia and Dave Kowalski among others to Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina and spent a week helping with the cleanup.

Community interests . . . both are Stone Harbor Seniors Docents at the Stone Harbor Museum and play bridge weekly with Stone Harbor Seniors. Cynthia is a long-time active member of the SH Garden Club and Civic Club.

I don’t think these two ever sit down and rest. They are always the first to volunteer for whatever job needs to be done. We are blessed to have these faithful stewards as members of St. Mary’s.

Hosts and cookies are needed for the last concert on August 11th. Please sign up on the parish hall bulletin board or let Jack Olthuis know if you can help.

Our annual School Supplies Drive is NOW!

Dina Ziemba has reached out to local schools and their teachers to compile a list of supplies for their students to help them succeed in the classroom. The list is attached. We are collecting supplies on the back table in the parish hall, or you may drop off your donations in the chapel or office. You may also make a monetary donation (note: school supplies on your envelope) and the items will be purchased for you.

The August, September, October 2022 edition of Forward Day by Day, large and small print, is available in the chapel and church narthex. Day by Day is a wonderful way "to spend dedicated time with Jesus, every single day. Day by Day inspires people who want to be like Jesus and encourages them to spread his love in the world."

Please help yourself to a copy and feel free to take one for a friend who might enjoy receiving Day by Day.

Need to make more space? Have things you will probably never wear or use again?

Please remember St. Mary's This 'n That Thrift Shop. Your donation of clothing and household items in good useable condition is welcome!

St. Mary's Thrift Shop has become a valuable presence in the Rio Grande community. As an outreach of St. Mary's, it provides assistance in vital ministry and mission by offering quality clothing and household goods at affordable prices to the community, along with jobs and work experience to those in need. Proceeds help to support The Branches, and other ministries and outreach of St. Mary's.

Store Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am - 4 pm

Donation days: Tuesday and Thursday, 10 am - 3 pm

Location: St. Mary's This 'n That

1304 Rt. 47 So., Rio Grande, NJ 08242 609-886-7272

Follow them on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-This-N-That-Thrift-Shop-268676343298636/

Irish Tenor Mark Forrest will perform in concert at St. Paul's RC Church on Sunday, August 7th at 7 PM. All are welcome.

St. Paul's, 9910 Third Ave., Stone Harbor 609-967-3746

www.markforrest.com

St. Barnabas will hold their annual Hoagie Sale, Bake Sale and Yard Sale with raffles and a 50/50 at the church on August 27th.

They also have a piano free to a good home.

St. Barnabas, 13 W. Bates Ave., Villas 609-886-5960

saintbarnabasvillas@comcast.net www.stbarnabasvillas.org

July 9th - August 27th - Summer Worship at the Beach 5:30 pm 101st Street Pavilion

August 11th - Three & One

August 14th - Adult Forum Book Study begins - Lost Christianities

CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR on our website for all activities taking place throughout the week.

Psalm 33:12-22

Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

Luke 12:32-40

Tuesday - Thursday 8:30 am Morning Prayer via Zoom

Services, studies, and service bulletins may be accessed on our website: www.stmarysstoneharbor.org